Darkstone Code
Chapter 111 - 0110 Good deeds bring good rewards, happy to help others

Chapter 111: 0110 Good deeds bring good rewards, happy to help others

Leaving Lynch’s house, Johnson’s feelings and attitude towards Lynch became very complicated.

Lynch had given him some money before, he checked, twenty thousand dollars, which is not a small amount. Lynch’s explanation was quite clever, saying it was giving him an opportunity to take care of Michael’s family.

This explanation reduced Johnson’s hostility towards Lynch considerably, regardless of how he convinced himself. The problem between Lynch and Michael didn’t continue to escalate; instead, Lynch chose to step back and provided financial support for Michael’s family after Michael was sentenced.

He’s not a good person, nor is he a decent one. Yet somehow people don’t get the chance to openly hate him. There’s hostility, but not much.

Moreover, the root of the whole matter was Michael himself. According to the media, Lynch has always been a victim.

This situation was initiated by Michael himself. He went to prison, and for quite some time, he was prepared for it.

In prison, he encountered a self-taught lawyer inmate. It’s said this fellow was imprisoned for some minor issues. He self-studied law, planning to take a lawyer’s exam upon release. Even if he doesn’t pass, he wouldn’t be locked up so inexplicably next time.

Possibly due to a shared feeling of being wronged, this lawyer inmate discussed these things with Michael. Anyway, since he’s already in prison, why let his child suffer alongside him?

If he took responsibility for little Michael’s charges, his child might still have a bright future.

With this thought in mind, Michael contacted Johnson, as he was imprisoned not in Sabin City but transferred to another place to avoid being recognized by those inside due to his previous "certifications" and facing malicious retaliation.

Thus, what should have been straightforward became complicated.

The investigation and litigation triggered by an inmate’s confession are more challenging than a normal person confessing and initiating an investigation. There are some areas to smooth over, and it’s not a trivial amount—they want to prove the court’s judgment wrong, essentially slapping the Ministry of Justice in the face.

Even if Michael admitted he used his father’s name to make little Michael confess to mistakes he hadn’t committed, the Ministry of Justice might not accept his confession, as it essentially tells the public that the court came to a conclusion without investigating the facts, based solely on some testimonies, which isn’t a good thing.

Therefore, even if Michael wants to confess in prison, it’s a complex affair, complicated enough that Johnson ultimately used the money Lynch had given him.

Combined with some savings Michael had in the bank, they managed to gather fifty-five thousand dollars. After smoothing over all matters, a turning point in this affair was finally reached.

Simultaneously, one staff member on probation was dismissed for reasons such as negligence.

There’s still some paperwork unfinished for little Michael, who will be released from prison this afternoon. It’s supposed to be a good thing, yet also a troublesome one.

Their money is exhausted. Michael’s savings are depleted, Lynch’s money is spent, and Director Johnson himself has contributed some funds.

Michael’s wife has no work experience and naturally lacks the ability to work. She can’t support herself or her child.

Moreover, little Michael may have to transfer schools, potentially to one in another city, which entails an astounding expense that this already broken family can hardly bear anymore.

Director Johnson is a good man, but being good doesn’t mean being bottomless. He can offer some of his money to help Michael and his family, but he can’t endlessly provide for this family.

Indeed, he feels guilty about Michael, after all. He ultimately decided to abandon Michael, but guilt doesn’t justify unconditional assistance to these people, especially since he has a family of his own, children, and grandchildren, and he needs money to live too.

Once he retires and loses his main source of income, his pension can make life relatively easy for him, but issues like medical funds still require money to resolve. He must save some funds.

Any illness could destroy a middle-class family, which is why any Bail Federal president who claims to have solved healthcare issues before taking office will gain public support.

People simply can’t afford to fall ill. Although this country looks so wealthy, individuals truly can’t afford to get sick.

This leads Director Johnson to need someone to reach out and help them. Initially, he considered having the Tax Bureau donate, but he later abandoned the idea.

Regardless of his decision to abandon Michael, just after Michael was identified as a criminal suspect, his colleagues and subordinates backstabbed him, creating a rift that couldn’t be bridged.

No matter who made them make such decisions, it doesn’t change the fact that reconciliation is impossible.

Using his position as director to force these people to bow their heads and donate to Michael would not only cause Michael to be hated by those who may have felt some guilt but could also lead to him being hated himself.

Eventually, he directed his request to Lynch and smoothly acquired the money.

A not-insignificant sum, looking at the check, another twenty thousand dollars. If spent sparingly, this money could be enough for one to two years.

He also believes that if he asks again, Lynch will still provide funds, creating a complex and conflicting feeling towards Lynch.

He should detest and hate this villain, yet he can’t. It’s very complex, very contradicting...

After getting the money, Director Johnson went straight to the bank, as it was a transfer check, offering only transfer services, thus requiring a transfer process.

Director Johnson naturally could sense Lynch’s intention for issuing a transfer check, which was to leave some minor traces as security.

Silently watching as twenty thousand dollars appeared in an account belonging to him but not under his name, Director Johnson felt some complexity inside. He withdrew five hundred dollars, pocketed it, and then went to pick up Michael’s wife.

They would go together to pick up little Michael from prison in the afternoon and have a meal together, while discussing little Michael’s future arrangements.

Before long, Director Johnson leaned against the car, with a cigarette in hand, lost in thought. Michael’s wife walked out of the house.

He glanced up, immediately stubbed out his cigarette, and went up to her.

At that moment, Michael’s wife exuded a special kind of beauty. She changed into a beautiful dress to greet little Michael. The successive blows during this period had affected her mental state, making her look very pale.

Yet because she was about to welcome a family member back, there was some excitement in her weary spirit, a slightly sickly blush appeared on her face.

Perhaps Director Johnson doesn’t quite appreciate this beauty, but he can sense this young woman’s helplessness and need for support.

He proactively opened the car door to let Michael’s wife sit inside, in the front passenger seat, making conversation easier.

After all, making eye contact when conversing is polite, and having her sit in the back would only allow for indirect eye contact through the rear-view mirror, which isn’t courteous.

The car started quickly, Director Johnson driving while keeping an eye on the road, took out the money from the bank, and handed it over.

"I know it’s tough right now, I can help you all a bit first, here’s some living expenses, I’ll think of a way for little Michael’s school transfer fees."

Michael’s wife didn’t accept it initially, so Director Johnson looked at the road ahead, slightly slowed the car, turned to look at the woman, and pushed the money into her hand, "I don’t know how you feel, but you must understand, the child is innocent, you have to give him hope."

Sometimes money represents hope, very ironic yet very realistic.

Michael’s wife hesitated for a moment, then took the money, neat it up, and put it in her bag, quietly saying thank you.

Director Johnson chuckled and continued driving intently. They didn’t mention lunch; they would have lunch together after picking up little Michael.

The car quickly stopped outside the district prison, where Director Johnson and Michael’s wife signed some responsibility and rights papers, urgently waiting for little Michael’s arrival.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, throughout this anxious wait, Michael’s wife tightly held Director Johnson’s hand, neither seeming to notice it.